1. Presentation to ILC, November 2010 Fast Forward for adifferent future How Emerging Technologies are Transforming Education and Schools How To Capitalize on It Stephen Murgatroyd, PhD FBPsS FRSA Chief Innovation Officer

2. This presentation….. Set a challenge context for this discussion…. What is happening with technology? How is this having an impact on education, learning and schools? What are the “design, development and deployment” (3D) implications for schools? What are the challenges this gives rise to?

3. Understanding the context

4. Significant changes taking place Demographics Low birth rates and dependency on immigration Fast growth of aboriginal communities Literacy Economics Low productivity Declining competitiveness Major industry sector transitions – manufacturing, forestry, agriculture Socio-economic disruption Social Change New forms of social meaning and networks New globalized relationships – “glocal” New challenges for the curriculum – 21st Century Skills

5. Shifts in K-12 Education Focus on 21st Century Skills Building on skills base of current curriculum, but a significant shift More project work, less “instruction” – constructivist learning Commitment to essential skills – literacy, numeracy and technological literacy Strong focus on “personalization” Seeking to increase student engagement through enabling more choice Matching personal intentions / skills to curriculum options Accountability Holding schools and school districts accountable for performance Linking resource allocation to performance Focusing on core skills for accountability – especially literacy and numeracy Big focus on student engagement Lower funding with higher outcome expectations Class size, funding for special needs students and FNMI “tight” Resource base (funds for infrastructure, materials and technology) also tight Growing expectations of more throughput to post-secondary

6. 21st Century Skills FrameworkSource: Meteri Group and the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (USA)

7. Demand for skills over time(OECD data base)

8. In Ontario Clear commitment to education from the Premier down Focus on system wide accountability and performance and system wide development – Ben Levin and Michael Fullan’s interventions Seeking to expand affordable access to post-secondary, especially for first nations and first generation learners – puts pressure on schools to produce more qualified students Seeking to have a major impact on essential skills Seeking to embrace technology in the classroom

9. Emerging technologies The emerging technologies that are changing the way we work and play

10. The emerging technologies Low cost (relative to capacity) hand held digital devices – the iPad, smartphone, PlayBook (RIM), Livescribe, GPS…. Broadband access at a low cost – free Wi-Fi, cellular bandwidth (4G), new ways to access broadband Increasing graphical capacity and speed of digital devices – e.g. Smart Boards Developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning Developments in robotics, miniaturizing of components and in visual capacities of digital devices 3D television and the imminent arrival of 3D video conferencing

11. And technological applications The development of 250,000+ apps growing at (approximately) 2,000 a day The emergence of social media – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube The rapid adoption of co-creation systems – Wilki’s and related collaborative software (now integrated into Adobe, Office, etc.), Ning Sophisticated gaming engines and animation – permitting simulation Semantic web – intelligent agents, searching using machine learning

12. And technological “solutions” Cloud-based computing Integrated software - permitting easy movement of data, images etc., from one place to another for fast creation Integrated resource management – e.g. Alibris, eBay File sharing (Dropbox) and file “stealing” (Pirate Bay) Focused document management (e.g. ancestry.ca) Flash video and easy editing tools Digital photography and digital video

13. technology developments / time

14. How we can leverage emerging technologies to improve learning outcomes in K-12 Leveraging Technology for Learning

15. #1 Blended Learning Designed learning experience which: Use online for knowledge and in class for experiential work Engage students in learning through projects and activity- based problem-solving Leverage social networks Use web based resources via Smart Boards and digital devices to support classroom learning #2 Simulation Leveraging digital devices (especially emerging 3D capacities) for: Simulating experiments in science Simulating tasks – e.g. robotics Simulating environmental conditions (e.g. virtual wetlands) Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence / machine learning to use simulations as a competency-based diagnostic tool Classroom Based Teaching

16. #4 Cloud-Based Learning In an outcome-based program where credit is awarded following a demonstration of outcome competences: Learners use social networks, peer networks and expert clouds to secure their learning Learners access knowledge through digital resource libraries Teaching is minimal, the focus is on competency #3 One to One Lap Top Projects Leveraging the power of technology to enable a learner to: Work in different ways and use different styles of learning Engage with social networks in support of learning Develop 21st century skills Develop critical thinking and analytic skills Focus in classroom on processing knowledge / developing understanding

17. #5 Digital Textbooks and Libraries #6 Remediation Using the powers of machine learning, robotics and mobility to provide learners with: Patient remedial learning for skills and knowledge they find problematic Using global teaching networks to provide 24x7 coaching help Using peer networks and social networks for remediation Leveraging the power of technology and coopetition to: Developing glocal texts (standard texts with local components) for glocal courses Using the publishing consortia to accelerate the arrival of new knowledge into texts Using online libraries and resource centres for text, audio, video and other resources..

18. #8 Wicked Problem-Based Learning #7 Location Supported Learning Using teams of learners, supported by an teacher and / or mentor, to tackle problems that matter (e.g. water, literacy, financial literacy): Connecting to “non” academic solutions organizations Leveraging peer networks and social networks – using the cloud Serious research and serious games Community-based assessment – impacts, competencies and outcomes Linking learning activities to location enables A variety of curriculum areas to be linked to place – history, social studies, geography, science.. Supports real time biodiversity information being integrated into projects and courses Leverages global knowledge bases around species and environmental genomics Provides rich access to local expertise

19. #9 Just in Time Learning #10 Support for Students with Special Needs Modularised curriculum linked to support for: Work-based skills – e.g. trades education in school as part of the dual curriculum Essential skills and financial literacy Updating knowledge and skills – the next building code skills, next bio-refining process, the next robotic maintenance process…. Using technology to: Enhance learning opportunities and learning experiences of learners with special needs Enhance hearing and visual abilities Enhance motor skills Enable learner support

20. Innovation in action Four examples of emerging technologies used in education and training

21. Four examples One to One Lap Top Project – The Emerge Project 20 jurisdictions, 50 schools, 3500 students, 110+ teachers and 50 administrators. Results show: increased student engagement, improved readiness for 21st century skills, improved learning outcomes Challenges are: affordability, professional development, the adoption curve for teachers, shifting teaching methods Robotics – The Galileo Educational Network and Lego Serious Games for Schools Project based learning requiring challenge, social networking and creative problem solving Serious games with clear, practical and tangible outcomes

22. Literacy and Essential Skills Working with reluctant readers using reading games and reading challenges online Word skill development using “build a word” linked to sound and visualization Dedicated literacy software Capturing Aboriginal Knowledge and Content Creation Using video, audio and blogs to capture aboriginal knowledge – e.g. healing properties of plants, “about this place”, our band… Using elders to support students in learning Cree

23. Looking globally at trends: More project-based work, less instruction More peer learning, less instruction More outcome-based learning, less focus on process (especially time in class) More non-school based learning credits More routes to High School Diplomas – less the one lane highway (New Brunswick, Alberta and BC) …less teaching, more learning…

24. What we can say… Technology supports student achievement Technology builds 21st century skills Technology engages students in learning and content creation Technology increases educational access to virtual communities and distant expertise Technology fosters inclusion Technology helps reduce dropout Technology facilitates differentiated instruction Technology strengthens career and technical education Technology extends the learning day Technology supports teacher quality Technology supports timely, innovative and diagnostic assessment Technology enables innovation and creativity by both students and teachers

25. Barriers to change

26. System wide Cost of technology and greening the technology infrastructure seen as problematic Equity of access to technology (especially broadband) seen as a challenge Equity of access to professional development to support technology implementation in the classroom seen as problematic Not a strong focus on technology in initial teacher education Adoption slow amongst the teaching body

27. In one Province, the technology adoption level by teachers is app. 40-50% - teachers using technology frequently and in an integrated way in their teaching.

28. At the school level Teahers Teacher adoption levels “stuck” at early stage – 40-50% of faculty Teachers defense of “classroom teaching” versus technology Scale of curriculum demands inhibits innovation Design Capacities Instructional design capacities low and creation capacities low amongst teacchers Transformative capacity of technology not being fully realized Students Not all want to be engaged learners – many are tactically engaged or compliant Not all have access at home Not all are technological literate Strategic Intent Commitment to technology is “and also..” commitment

29. The opportunity…..

30. The New school…. Will have more individual work spaces and some rooms for team work Will have wicked problem based courses and programs Will have a requirement for peer, social and networked learning Will have fewer limitations on securing non-school taught credit Will focus on outcomes, not time Will be wired to firms, community and non profits Will have very high levels of student engagement and few tactical compliant learners Will have very satisfied teachers who coach, guide and mentor and support learning as well as provide instruction – more constructivist learning Will be truly learning focused Will be nimble and innovative For an example of such a school, see the RSA Academy at Tipton (UK) http://www.rsaacademy.net/

31. stephen@contactnorth.ca (705) 525 7257 Contact